Skimmer for 55 Gal ?

[stagger19]

Hi, Im starting a 55 Gal reef.

Should I consider adding a Protein skimmer or would doing
10% weekly water changes help keep the slime off the top?

Thanks in Advance...

-Rich

 

[dicjones]

I would say a protein skimmer is one of the most important...if not most important part of a marine setup. Protein skimmers are rated per size of tank but you should always go with something larger. I have a 75 gallon with a 125 gallon Coralife super skimmer. But it isn't what keeps the slime off the top...my skimmer is sitting next to my sump. My overflow box keeps that ugly film off the top.

Also water changes with or without a skimmer are an absolute must.

Just as a side note...do lots of research. I did about 3 months worth and it wasn't enough. I ended up replacing original purchases because of lack of understanding of what I was reading. I also didn't use the knowledge from forums. This is probably the best place to go. Do lots of searches with the search tool and read, read, read. Good luck!!!

 

[stagger19]

Thanks Dicjones, im also considering a sump so I can hide my heater, and skimmer down in there.

Would a 10 gal sump be ok?

Also, should I look to drill the tank, or should I use an overflow box?

Thanks...

 

[Elorian]

I would definitely recommend a sump and a skimmer- I just added a 20g high sump with a CPR 800g/h overflow and an ASM G3 skimmer to my 55g reef (replacing a red sea prizm and fluval cannister). I couldn't be happier with the results- tank looks better than it ever has, and maintenance has gone from a chore to a joy.

I highly recommend the CPR overflow as opposed to 'U-tube' style overflows, as the CPR should be much less likely to break siphon and flood the room (take a look at the design on just about any of the online retail sites for more details- basically it is a wide channel as opposed to a tube and you connect the venturi of a powerhead to a port on the top to suck out any air that might cause a siphon break. Just keep an eye on it the first couple of times you start/restart it to be sure the powerhead removes any air present fast enough.). Having said all of this, a properly drilled tank is probably a better overall solution.

The G3 is overkill for a 55, but I wanted to avoid buying another skimmer if I upgrade to a larger tank down the road. An ASM G1x would work great on a 55 and will not break the bank as badly as some of the bigger names (Euro-Reef, Deltec, etc).

I also second the advice on good maintenance, including regular partial water changes, and lots of research.

HTH and best of luck!

Oh, and

To RC!

 

[dicjones]

I'm not sure how big of a sump would be proper. I have a tidepool II but I feel sometimes that might be a little small...I like it because there are media trays for things like carbon and hos-ban. You can use something as simple as a rubbermaid tub though.

As for the overflow box...I originally started with a canister filter. If I could start over I would have STARTED with a sump under a pre-drilled tank. The overflow uses a siphon and I'm kind of tired of dealing or worrying about it.

I don't know anything about drilling a tank and quit frankly I don't have the courage to try that.

 

[dicjones]

Elorian, thats funny you started with a fluval canister filter and a prizm skimmer...cause I started with an Eheim Professional II and a prizm skimmer. I also like the sump much, much better than the canister filter. It opened a whole new world of options. I was able to move the heater and skimmer down there, giving my tank a much "cleaner" look.

My siphon is a u-tube and no matter how many times I redo it, weeks later I have a big bubble of air on the top of it. I will be moving in a couple years and plan to upgrade to a larger tank...one that I will make sure is pre-drilled!!

 

[stagger19]

Thanks for the info, it really helps.

With the CPR, would I have to drill the tank, or is that designed to lift and channel the water over the lip and down to the sump?

 

[Elorian]

dicjones- try drilling a small hole in the top of the u-tube, glue a small piece of rigid airline tubing into the hole (just be sure the glue you use will not break or crack! Otherwise- break out the hip waders...), attach flexible airline tubing to this and run it to the venturi intake of a powerhead. This should suck the air bubble out of the u-tube continuously until you can get that spiffy new drilled tank!

I agree- the look of my tank is much cleaner now- less clutter.

 

[Elorian]

The CPR lifts the water over the lip of the tank and requires no drilling.

 

[dicjones]

Thanks Elorian...I might have to try that.

 

[stagger19]

Thanks Elorian for the info.

Would a drilled bulkhead strainer work just as good as long as the hole was drilled high enough so if the power goes out, there is enough room in the sump to handle the water until the siphon breaks?

-Rich

 

[Elorian]

stagger19- That should prevent an overflow if the power goes out, just be sure the strainer doesn't become clogged and slow the outflow to the point that the return overwhelms it and causes a flood. I'm not sure which would be better; both should work well if properly installed and maintained. Also, be sure to drill a hole near the water surface on your return (if the return goes much below the surface) to break siphon on the return line if the power goes out- otherwise it will drain the tank down to the return outlet and probably overflow the sump.

You're both welcome- I hope the info is helpful.